Monthly Archives: April 2015

Mike Kerr, Vocalist and Bass for the England band Royal Blood, playing bass next the bands drum set at Ace of Spades in Sacrament Calif. Photo by: Bryce Fraser

Bryce Fraser
Shiftsync Media

Sacramento was sold out last Sunday by England band Royal Blood. It was impressive how popular they are being that they just released their first self-titled Album and already have a sold out crowd. The band will also be touring with Foo Fighters this summer.

The band started the night with “Come On Over”, “Cruel”, then Mike Kerr talked to the crowd and said “in England we have an old saying” and then began to play Figure It Out. During Little Monster the crowd amped up and the first moshing of the night started once the song began. The crowd cheered loudly afterward. The crowd then started chanting for the song “Blood Hands” and got what they asked for.

Fans started bobbing their heads up and down during the song “Ten Tonne Skeleton”. It was one of my favorite songs of the night, it was really a sight to see it performed live. Half way through the song Kerr raised his glass to the crowd and took a drink, then continued on. They picked up their energy during the song “Loose Change” they really started to move across the stage. After the song Kerr wished everyone a Merry Christmas this was an ironic joke by the front man because it was in the middle of April.

Kerr moved to the right side of the stage and played the first cords of “Out of the Black” then moved to the left side and played some cords to work up the audience. Kerr had fans raise their hands right before they went full blown into their song. The crowd went wild. Both Kerr and Drummer, Ben Thathcher, gave the most energy all night for “Out of the Black”. During the song Thathcher touched some hands of the audience right before he himself went crowd surfing. After this, fans stared to crowd surf as well and the audience went crazy. Kerr himself walked down into the crowd while playing.

Kerr raised his guitar to fans, threw his pick and even showed off a T shirt that a fan had thrown up on stage earlier then walked off. Thathcher came up and bowed and shot a kiss to fans.

The crowd shouted for an encore but the venue light came on and it was time to leave. Royal Blood left Sacramento with fans loving them and wanting all they can get from the band.

Lights preforming at The Ace Of Spades, in Sacramento Calif. This was the first time the preforming at the Ace Of Spades. Photo By: Bryce Fraser

Lester Robancho,
ShiftSyncMedia

“I promise I’m never skipping you guys again.”

This is what the electronic-inclined solo artist Lights told her fans during her show at Ace of Spades in Sacramento last Thursday.

Currently on tour for her third album, Little Machines, this would mark the first time the Canadian singer has stopped by even anywhere close to the Capital. She did, however, make up for it by putting on a great show for her fans at the sold-out venue that night.

Wielding an electric guitar, synths, and a keyboard, Lights brought in energy, enthusiasm, and plenty of bass with the help of her live band. Kicking things off with two of her older songs from her sophomore album, “Peace Sign” and “Toes” eased the crowd into her brand of melodic, dubstep-inspired electro-pop. She then changed gears and played a new track, “How We Do It” before slamming the crowd with fan favorite “Siberia.”

“There are some crazy vibes going on tonight.”

Lights took some time between tracks to address her regret from not having come to Sacramento sooner. She visited the Capital, a rose garden, and was surprised by how courteous everybody was. Changing gears yet again, Lights takes a seat at her keyboard to play “Portal,” a slower-tempo ballad. This transitioned into an acoustic rendition of “Don’t Go Home Without Me.” Afterward, the crowd was treated to the opening notes to a personal favorite, “Muscle Memory.” With each song came more vigor and liveliness from both the artist and the audience. During “Same Sea,” an upsurge of energy would come from Lights singing, the crowd jumping, and the actual lights flashing, at the chorus.

The show ended with the elevating “Up We Go,” right after an encore, of course. In the end, it is good to know–for her fans especially–that Lights is willing and able to come to new locales, reaching out to those who don’t have the benefit of living in a much larger city. The wait was worth it, I’m sure, for her fans who came to see lights that night.